Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine) is an antidepressant drug that functions as an SNRI (Selective Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor). In other words, it prevents the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin in addition to that of norepinephrine. It was created and marketed by Wyeth – a company that has now become part of Pfizer. This drug is extremely similar to that of Effexor (Venlafaxine) as it contains the same active metabolite.
The goal with the development of this drug was to take only the active portion of Effexor and eliminate the rest with the hopes of side effect reduction. It took many years for the FDA to finally approve this new antidepressant, but it’s widely debatable as to whether this drug really has major advantages over Effexor. As an analogy, most would agree that this drug is to Effexor as Lexapor is to Celexa.
It is largely thought that this drug was developed mostly to protect business for Wyeth. By creating Pristiq, the goal was to convince psychiatrists to switch from Effexor to Pristiq to protect the billions of dollars that Effexor generated in sales. They have done this by suggesting that Pristiq carries fewer side effects and is generally better tolerated than Effexor. However by now, most evidence suggests that is inferior to Effexor on several levels.
After trying Pristiq, many people find it intolerable and realize that it carries many unpleasant side effects. Others find that it simply doesn’t work as well as they had hoped to alleviate their major depression. Since many people don’t want to be on antidepressants for life, withdrawal from Pristiq is usually inevitable.
Factors that influence Pristiq withdrawal
When it comes to withdrawal from any antidepressant, there are various factors that play a role in determining severity of symptoms. These factors include things like: time you took the drug, dosage, your personal physiology and drug sensitivity, as well as how quickly you tapered off of the drug.
1. Time Span
How long were you taking Pristiq? In general, the longer that you take an antidepressant, the tougher it is to quit. When you take a drug like this for a long period of time, your body and brain become accustomed to functioning under its influence. Additionally, long term users generally need to increase dosage because they become tolerant. The shorter the term that you use Pristiq, the less withdrawal symptoms you will likely experience.
2. Dosage (50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 400 mg)
In most cases, people start out at 50 mg and then if necessary titrate the dose up to 100 mg. If the 100 mg works for awhile, but then stops working, a psychiatrist may double the dose to 200 mg. Over time, the more you increase the dosage, the more difficulty you will have withdrawing.
By increasing the dosage, you are essentially forcing your body and brain to function under the influence of more Pristiq. Most research suggests that there is zero additional benefit to be had by taking more than the starting dose of 50 mg.
3. Individual Factors
It is also important to keep in mind additional factors that may influence withdrawal symptoms. These factors include things like: your physiology, daily habits, diet, exercise, social support, and other drugs that you take. Most people have different reactions to antidepressants based largely on individual factors.
One drug may work brilliantly for one person, and be an absolutely hellacious experience for another. It is the same concept in regards to withdrawal – one person may experience very severe withdrawal symptoms, while another may not notice much of anything during discontinuation.
4. Cold Turkey vs. Tapering
In the past, a major problem associated with Prisitiq discontinuation is that there wasn’t an intermediate dosage between 0 mg and 50 mg.  Thankfully there is now an intermediate 25 mg dose of Pristiq that should help with the tapering process.  Even though the 25 mg tablets may be an easier transition down to 0 mg (nothing), they are still “time release” tablets, meaning if you cut the tablet, it breaks the specially formatted “time release” coating.
Breaking this “time release” coating will cause the drug to be absorbed all at once within your system – which may be extremely intoxicating and is not recommended by most. Instead, what some knowledgeable doctors may do to help ease withdrawal symptoms from the 25 mg dose is prescribe another drug with an easier withdrawal – similar to a replacement therapy (fluoxetine is a popular choice).
Another common strategy for reducing Pristiq is to transition patients to its parent drug, Effexor (Venlafaxine). Â These drugs are molecularly similar, and since Effexor is available in lower doses, it may allow for an extended taper – making the withdrawal process more tolerable. Â Quitting Pristiq “cold turkey” may result in prolonged withdrawal symptoms that are more severe than had an individual tapered down to the 25 mg dose and jumped from 25 mg to 0 mg, or transitioned from 25 mg to a replacement antidepressant to make withdrawal more tolerable.
Anecdotal accounts suggest that some individuals have had success taking 25 mg of Pristiq “every other day.” Â Most educated professionals would argue that this is an ill-advised strategy, akin to playing “ping pong” with neurotransmitters and the brain – possibly exacerbating the severity of withdrawal. Â In any regard, working with a trained professional to taper off of Pristiq slowly should help minimize the number and severity of discontinuation symptoms.
Prisitiq Withdrawal Symptoms: A List of Possibilities
Below are a list of common symptoms that people have experienced when they discontinue Pristiq. Keep in mind that your experience may be different from that of others. Individuals have different experiences when it comes to withdrawal symptom intensity and duration.
- Anxiety: Any drug that inhibits serotonin reuptake can lead to major increases in anxiety when a person stops it. In many cases people get anxiety relief from taking Pristiq because it elevates serotonin levels. When a person stops the drug, their brain is expecting to receive the serotonin boost, but does not get it. This leads to abnormally low levels of serotonin and makes some individuals have intense anxiety during withdrawal.
- Brain zaps: It is common to experience “brain zaps” or electrical shock sensations throughout the brain during withdrawal. It is not known exactly what causes these, but most people attribute it to the brain going through neurochemical readjustments. It is attempting to return to homeostatic levels of various neurotransmitters and in the process, people feel “zaps.”
- Chills: Many people experience extreme chills while taking this medication. Some people get used to the drug though and after awhile they subside. However during withdrawal, many people re-experience “chills” and feel as if they are really sick. These chills may last weeks, but will eventually go away as the body and brain readjust.
- Concentration problems: It is very common to experience foggy thinking while on Pristiq and other antidepressants. However, when discontinuing the drug, concentration problems can become very unbearable. Most people are frustrated by all the symptoms that they are experiencing and in addition to these symptoms, they experience reduced cognitive functioning. Many people have described this as “brain fog” that takes weeks to gradually improve.
- Confusion: It is common to experience mental confusion upon withdrawal. This may be a result of memory problems in addition with an inability to properly concentrate. If you feel extremely confused during your withdrawal, just know that this will improve over the next couple weeks.
- Crying spells: Many people endure periods of crying spells because they cannot cope with the crazy emotions that are triggered during withdrawal. If you feel more depressed than before you started Pristiq, it’s largely due to the fact that your serotonin and norepinephrine levels are abnormally low.
- Depression: When withdrawing from an antidepressant, it is common to experience a resurgence of depression. This depression may be significantly more severe than prior to your usage of Pristiq. It is important to understand that during the withdrawal period, it is expected that your depression will be very severe. This is because your brain is in neurochemical imbalance as a result of the drug. This imbalance will naturally correct itself as you learn to cope with life without the drug.
- Depersonalization: Perhaps one of the worst feelings during withdrawal from Pristiq is that of depersonalization. If you feel weird, unlike your natural self, and more like a zombie or like you are living in a dream, it’s likely that you are depersonalized. This is a result of changes in neurotransmitter levels as well as your brain attempting to make changes to reestablish normal functioning.
- Dizziness: Feeling dizzy is something that nearly everyone experiences when they quit an antidepressant. For some individuals the dizziness may last a week or so and get better. For others, the dizziness may linger for weeks and/or months before it improves.
- Fatigue: Since Pristiq is known to give people increased levels of energy, coming off of it may result in fatigue. You may feel mentally, emotionally, and physically fatigued when you quit taking this drug. The fatigue is mostly influenced by drops in neurotransmitters and your body using energy to try to restore normative functioning.
- Flu-like symptoms: As someone who has used Pristiq, I experienced flu-like symptoms when I first went on the drug. It is very common to experience these symptoms upon discontinuation as well. You may feel chilled, nauseous, dizzy, achy, have a fever, and in some cases you may actually vomit.
- Headaches: In addition to feeling dizziness, headaches are always among the most reported withdrawal symptoms. Most people notice that their headaches typically improve over the course of a few weeks. In order to manage your headaches, be sure to get plenty of rest, drink water, and consider taking headache relief.
- Hopelessness: The depression that you experience during withdrawal may lead you to feeling completely hopeless about life. It is important to recognize that this is merely a phase of withdrawal and that you will regain hope for the future. For this reason, it may be necessary to seek out help from a therapist if you are unable to find hope in your situation.
- Insomnia: Due to the activating nature of this drug, it can lead people to experiencing unbearable insomnia while taking it. In other cases, it can also lead to people to developing severe insomnia during discontinuation. This insomnia is thought to be a result of low serotonin levels – which result in abnormally high arousal, anxiety, and inability to sleep.
- Irritability: You may notice yourself become increasingly irritable during withdrawal. Innocuous things may lead you to become very angry and/or short-tempered. Just know that being irritable is very common during withdrawal. This symptom should gradually improve over time.
- Mood swings: Moods may transition from feeling hopeful and energetic to feeling completely depressed and hopeless. You may feel angry one minute and better about your future the next minute. Mood swings may last for an extended period of time until your brain has repaired itself.
- Nausea: This is a very common symptom to experience when coming off of Pristiq. You may feel very intense nausea – almost like you’re halfway to the point of vomiting. The nausea should gradually die down after a few weeks.
- Panic attacks: The fact is that many individuals experience panic attacks during withdrawal from antidepressants. You may not have had much anxiety prior to your usage, but the drug tweaks your neurotransmitter functioning to the point that anxiety can become abnormally high during withdrawal. High anxiety may lead you to experiencing a full blown panic attack. Do your best to manage the feelings of anxiety by engaging in relaxation and activities that will help desensitize your nervous system.
- Sensitivity: Many people experience an increased sensitivity to loud sounds and bright lights. This is usually caused by hyperarousal and the fact that when your nervous system is highly sensitized, normal sounds can seem amplified and/or threatening.
- Sleep changes: Antidepressant withdrawal can wreak havoc on your sleep. You may notice that you feel increasingly tired throughout the day, but cannot seem to sleep at night. Your sleep cycle may become unpredictable. Do your best to make sure that you are getting enough sleep so that your body and mind can recover.
- Suicidal thinking: During discontinuation from any antidepressant, a person may develop suicidal thinking. The suicidal thoughts during discontinuation may be very intense and difficult to deal with. They are thought to be a result of low neurotransmitter levels as a result of withdrawal.
- Sweating: Another very common symptom that people experience during withdrawal is that of sweating. You may sweat profusely during the first few weeks of withdrawal. This may lead to sweats throughout the day and during sleep (night sweats).
- Tingling: Some people have reported tingling sensations in their hands and feet. Just know that this is likely a result of your nervous system attempting to function normally without the drug. Since it is not receiving the drug, it is generating a “tingling” feeling. This will subside over time as your body adapts to functioning without the drug.
- Vomiting: Certain individuals have pretty severe reactions when coming off of Pristiq. In less common cases, some people actually experience nausea so extreme that it leads to vomiting during withdrawal. This vomiting should subside within a week or two. If not, you may need to come up with a slower tapering strategy.
Note: It is understood that Pristiq stays in your system for approximately 2.54 days after your last dose. Â Many people notice that withdrawal symptoms become most severe after the last bit of the drug has left their system. Â In other words, discontinuation symptoms may really start to emerge after 3 days of being Pristiq-free.
Pristiq Withdrawal Duration: How long will it last?
Pristiq is considered a very difficult drug to withdraw from, especially for those who have been on it for a lengthy period. There is no dose lower than 50 mg – which further complicates the “tapering” process. Work with your psychiatrist and determine the best plan to gradually taper off of this medication. By conducting a gradual taper, it is thought that you will lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms and experience a quicker recovery.
There is no set withdrawal “time frame” for any antidepressant medication. Some people may quit taking the drug and notice minimal withdrawal effects that last for about a week or two, then completely clear up. For individuals that are highly-sensitive to medication and withdrawal effects, the symptoms may last for weeks or months. Individual factors have a major influence in determining the intensity of the withdrawal phase.
Understand that the average withdrawal period lasts between 6 and 8 weeks – just as long as doctors say it takes an antidepressant to kick-in. However, I would argue that unless proper tapering is conducted, the withdrawal effects actually last much longer. For many individuals I recommend reevaluating symptoms after 90 days (i.e. 3 months). By taking 90 days, you are giving yourself a lengthy period of detoxification and time to heal.
Many people have incredible difficulty when it comes to withdrawing from SNRI’s because they create imbalances in two neurotransmitters: serotonin and norepinephrine. Therefore it can seemingly take longer for many people to recover. During withdrawal from any antidepressant, it is important to make sure that you are getting plenty of sleep, take good care of your body, and get quality social support. If you have experience withdrawing from Pristiq and/or are currently going through withdrawal, be sure to share your experience in the comments section below.
This article and comments have helped me stay positive and GET OFF THIS EVIL DRUG once and for all. I wish I was told how severe the withdrawals were by my doctor. I am a freelance artist and have been so debilitated by the brain zaps, nausea and dizziness that it’s been impossible to work. It’s only been 4 days and it’s not going by fast enough. I started by halfing the 50mg but that was a bad idea as I just read. So I’m trying to taper by taking one every other day but it seems to be making me feel worse. I’m wondering if I should just quit cold turkey. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Much love, Jen
I have reduced from 100 to 50 mg while adding 150 Wellbutrin. I feel better from the Wellbutrin, but I have weakness and tingling for 2 weeks since I made this change. This tingling has made my left arm weak and exercising has become a challenge. I now hope to get off this drug completely and see how Wellbutrin alone works for me.
Hi all. So glad I found this website! I am on day 3 of coming off 50mg pristiq that I was taking for 6 months to treat PTSD. At the drs recommendation I cut the tablet in half for 2 weeks and then went cold turkey. Am feeling very unwell and watching the clock until my husband gets home from work and can look after the kids! I am struggling with severe dizziness, ear aches, flu like symptoms, stomach cramps, unexpected bouts of crying and a panic attack today also! I called my dr who said I’m obviously not ready to come off them yet and to start my dose again!! There is no way I’m putting another tablet in my system. So glad I came across this website as need motivation and support to quit this. I’m determined as I know I am better and can face the world without this drug. -Melissa
Hi everyone, today is day 15 no pristiq after weaning for one month from 50mg to cutting in half and then cold turkey. I had all the withdrawal symptoms like everyone else. I want to know has anyone had ringing in the ears? It’s driving me bananas! I don’t know if it is a withdrawal symptom or my anxiety is just making focus on the sound. Help!!
Many people experience ringing in the ears during withdrawal from antidepressants. You are not alone. Read this article for further information: https://mentalhealthdaily.com/2014/10/28/can-antidepressants-cause-tinnitus-ringing-in-the-ears/
I know these posts are getting on in age but are still very relevant to someone like myself seeking the information, so I’m also adding my experience. I am currently on day 6 of ‘cold turkey’ from a 100mg daily dose of pristiq that I took for approx 2 years. After convincing myself the symptoms I’ve been experiencing had to be some type of type of illness that has just happened to coincide with coming off the pristiq I have now realized that I was wrong, boy oh boy was I wrong!
I mean surely a drug they tell you that is ‘non addictive’ cannot possibly cause such horrendous side effects when you stop taking it right?!?!? I was glad to read that for some stopping caused little or no side effects. It’s also damn scary to read what it has done to others in their experience. Unfortunately I am one of the unlucky ones that has copped the majority of the physical withdrawal symptoms, the 24 hr nausea and vomiting being the worst part for me so far.
I have to say that for me it is a horrible drug and I would never ever recommend anyone take it unless it was literally the difference between life and death! On a positive note though if I can withdraw from it and still function enough to look after my children anyone can do it! No it isn’t pleasant, but you can do it and the sooner you stop taking the nasty stuff the better.
Hello all, I am in the process of tapering off Pristiq by cutting the meds despite pharmaceutical advise not to do so. I am doing this because the most successful stories I have read so far utilized this method. I have been on Pristiq for 7 years at 100 mg and never tried to go off until now. Over the past 3 weeks I went down to 75 mg for about 3 days, then 62 mg for 3 days, then 50 mg for 4 days, then 37 for 3 days, then 25 mg for 4 days and now am on day 3 at 12 mg.
Each drop in dosage is very difficult the first two days then seems to settle. Worst of the symptoms so far have been anger, anxiety, lethargy, depression and that good old foggy feeling :). I have avoided the brain zaps and dizziness so far which is my main goal so I can keep functioning at my job while doing this. So far things have been tolerable and I’ve got the full support of my long term boyfriend and loved ones who are all aware of what I’m doing and that my personality may be a little different for the next couple months. To help my body adjust I’ve been eating very clean with lots of fruits, veggies and nuts as well as taking magnesium and Omega 3’s to help my nervous system repair itself.
I also used to drink a couple glasses of wine at night but have been avoiding that and instead trying to exercise to help with serotonin levels and avoid depressants. I am looking forward to being off of this completely and trying to manage my anxiety and depression with herbal teas, St John’s Wort and exercise in the future. This has been very tough and it just feels like the beginning, but I’m still hopeful. Thanks to everyone else who is writing in here, even the tougher stories are encouraging and I hope this might help a few. Good luck to everyone getting off of this or finding what works for your body! -Jenn
I have been off of Pristiq since the end of December. I tried replacing my 200MG dosage with 40MG of Prozac, but the side effects were the same with or without the Prozac, so I’ve decided to cold turkey it. NOT FUN. I am so flipping dizzy, and it has been a few weeks so that has subsided a little but now the crabbiness has started. I wanted to hurt an old man at the library who wouldn’t stop sniffling… Headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, chills, sweats, and crabbiness so far.
I was only taking Pristiq 50mg for a short period, a few months and a doctor told me to go off it because I had bruising appear on my legs. He didn’t however, tell me of any sides effects of going off! “brain zaps” as you call them is the biggest problem, something I had never encountered before. Dizziness, headaches and mood swings are the next big features. It’s just a little scary that I was only on it for maybe 3 months on the lowest dose and my withdrawal is like this. (Also that I wasn’t told what to expect).
I am almost 18 years old and I have been taking pristiq since I was 15 and even though I am still only on 50mg (I also take Lamictal) I have terrible withdrawal symptoms if I just miss a dose. I usually catch it by the afternoon because I get a terrible headache but recently I’ve been getting a lot of migraines regardless. So when I forgot my dose this morning and had a headache this afternoon I figured it was just a migraine coming on so I took painkillers and took a nap. But I woke up from my nap extremely dissociated. Nothing felt real, and I was extremely confused and disoriented. I literally felt like I was going to dissolve because of how generally cloudy everything seemed. This med has helped me through depression, but it scares me how much my body now needs it to function.
I started taking Pristiq 50mg. in August, to treat ADHD. By the time Thanksgiving was here, I was starting to feel depressed, which I didn’t have before starting the med. My doctor agreed that I should taper off the Pristiq. She told me to take one every other day for a week, then to take it every third day for another week. It’s been less than a month since my last dose. I’m still feeling depressed, uninterested in things I’ve always loved doing, and worst of all is the anger and irritability.
I feel like I’m terrorizing everyone around me, and even though they know I’m going through this withdrawal process, I am very hard to live with at the moment. I’m even annoying myself! Last night I was entertaining the idea of just taking off to the woods to be a hermit just so I won’t upset my loved ones and they won’t be able to trigger me. I have had emotional problems since early childhood, so this withdrawal process is wreaking havoc with my emotions and making me 100 times worse than before I ever took the Pristiq.
I had taken Effexor before and all it did was make me feel extremely high, which I told my doctor, yet she still chose to put me on Pristiq. So now for my ADHD I’ve been taking Adderall for a week. It seems to be making the withdrawal symptoms even worse. So I decided to stop it as well. I’m grateful to know that I’m not alone in this, and that even though I feel like I’m going crazy, I’m not. God I hope this is over soon though, I don’t know how much more of this I can take.
Hi all, after 2 years of Pristiq(50mg), I have decided to go cold turkey. Not easy, but as Nathan above mentioned, The feeling of empowerment is leading me more than anything else. Symptoms experienced to date (5 days) were brain zaps, nausea and vomiting (once). Noticed also that I could not fall asleep till late hours. However, as long as I would preoccupy myself with any kind of work or fun activities, I was good. At the moment feeling the chills, even though my body temp is always super high. I am not giving up! It helped me (maybe) when I felt weak, but now, I am ready to face life with full control! We all can do it! We were feeling much worse when we got it. Now it is our time to shine!!!
I have been tapering off pristiq for the past 6 weeks. I took the last tablet a week ago and for the past three days I have been feeling miserable. Bouts of sobbing, irritability, ruminating, catastrophising, and that the world is. Against me. I really am not coping at all well. Scared my boyfriend is going to dump me even though I know it’s not true and extremely dizzy. Trying to decide whether to go back on it or not. I know it helped me through an extremely difficult time in my life, but wish I had never started taking it.
After approx. 3 years of being on a daily regimen of 50mg of Pristiq, I accidentally forgot to take my meds for 2 days over the Christmas break. Since I felt good on days 1 and 2, I thought “WTF…lets just stop taking htis stuff!” Well… on day 3 of my CTS (cold turkey stupidity) I begin to have some side effects that others have described: dizziness, weird buzzing and dizziness when I moved my eyes back and forth too quick, diarrhea, stomach cramping, and a general malaise.
Today (Day 4) I’m feeling better but am still out of sorts, and now a tad bit worried after reading everyone’s tales of withdrawal! Now I’m thinking I should go back to taking at least 25 mg (split a 50mg) each day and slowly taper off. But then again, I’m at a point that I think I might just say “F this!” and power through the weirdness. Good luck to everyone out there that has be prescribed this horrible drug! So glad I found your site and all the info! God speed and remember that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!
David! Make sure not to split pills! Pristiq has an extended release coating and if you break the coating, you will get hit with too much of the active ingredients way too fast. I highly recommend talking to your doctor before you decide to stop taking Pristiq altogether. I suggest continuing 50 mg until you and your doctor work out a program to stop taking the medicine. Usually these withdrawal symptoms are quite quick (as Pristiq has such a short half-life, it is out of the system very fast). And the withdrawal symptoms people are describing above can be very real – but not everyone has them. Keep in mind, your body is readjusting regardless so definitely don’t stop these sorts of drugs cold turkey.
I just needed to stop for a clinical trial (to switch to another SNRI) and did not receive any recommendation on tapering so I tried to do what I’ve done before… lower my dose and taper for a couple of days with Prozac. This time was so horrible. :( Zaps, irritability, anger, crying spells. I thought I was possessed. I’m lucky I have a very patient partner or I would otherwise likely be divorced. Pristiq has helped me with my MDD and anxiety. It isn’t a horrible drug, it just has very real withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor before going off any antidepressant!
Last posted early December when on 1/4 tablet. Went down to an 1/8 mid December but felt that I was not getting a regular dose as some days more coating than anything. On 26 December I quit having taken last dose Christmas Day. It has been about 110 hours since my last dose (yes I’m counting the hours!!). First 3 days were manageable. Constant buzz in my ears, fuzzy head. Lots of pain all over. Insomnia set in on night of 28th and today, 29th has been awful. Usual buzz, but louder, head even more fuzzy and face just does not feel right.
Noticed slight nose bleed, not sure if that is related, taste blood in back of throat. VERY agitated. Trying to stay active. I’m hoping that these symptoms won’t last or will have to reinstate and I really don’t want to but I need to be able to function at some level to work. My poor family are feeling it. Wish I’d never touched this dreadful drug. The only thing it did help with was pain which I suffered a lot of before. -J
I was on Pristiq for three months at 100mg. I am transitioning off as it completely screwed up my sleep patterns and resulted in more frequent and darker depressive episodes. I went from 100mg to 50mg for seven days and am on day five of no antidepressant. I have extreme debilitating vertigo, uncontrollable crying spells and extreme depressive episodes. I start on my new meds tomorrow and I hope that there will be some improvement.
I have been taking Pristiq for nearly 5 years. I was on 200mg, after starting on 50mg. I eventually, slowly reduced down to 50mg and stopped taking it 3 days ago. At the moment I am getting brain zaps and dizziness, but apart from that I’m coping quite well. No other withdrawal symptoms. I actually feel quite positive. I decided to stop taking Pristiq because I retired in August and I felt much better, without the stress of work. I don’t know how long it will be before I feel normal again, so I’m just taking it one day at a time. I’m getting brain zaps as I’m typing this but just smiling and telling them to go way. I hope everyone going through the same thing and worse, eventually come out the other side and feel better for it. (Stuart…in Australia)
Update: Following day after my last comment. I’ve now started to feel weepy. Just little crying spells. Fortunately I know it’s part of withdrawal so I can tell myself not to worry. Keep smiling Stuart.
Nearing the end of day 4 aftering quitting 100mg cold turkey. I had been on Pristiq for the last 4.5 months. I mostly felt better on this drug, at least not suicidal! But now that I’m experiencing the withdrawal symptoms, I’m regretting every going on it in the first place. The first day without the drug I had a bad headache but didn’t notice much else. Each day since I have been struggling so much with the dizziness – its unreal and I hope to God that this ends soon. The world needs to stop spinning, I can’t function like this!
Hello, I am praying for you. How is it going?
I’m a 17 year old girl who has been depressed for 4 years now. I’ve been on 8 anti depressants and none of them have worked. I was on pristiq for one week and during that week realized my suicidal thoughts were actually worsening. Of course the dr said to quit taking it immediately and wanted to try cold turkey. Didn’t take it and 10 hours later was unable to get out of bed i was so dizzy and nauseous.
Managed to get myself to school but only for a couple hours before i was so sick I was unable to sit in class and had to get picked up. Today is day two. Was unable to go to school, I have ever withdrawl symptom you can think of: dizzy, irritable, nauseous, pressure in my head, confusion, depersonalized. My friends don’t understand either so I don’t know how much longer they’ll be around. I don’t recommend this drug at all.
I have been trying to get off pristiq (50mg) for about 3 mths, finally got down to 1/4 every other day, but it is hard to cut the pills adequately and I think the variation in dose is catching up to me. I have a lot of stressors at work and several things going on, all this coupled with a type A personality. To make matters worse, I am going through menopause (although I think pristiq might have induced early menopause, I am 49 started meno at 47).
I have 2 kids and hardly any time to myself. I hit rock bottom today- actually last few days. I will be going back up to 1/2 a dose until at least the stress of the holidays pass and will make it a point to have SOME time to be kind to myself. I feel depleted emotionally and physically – I feel for my children and my husband, they have seen the worst of me these last few days.
Stumbled onto this site because I was looking up how to get off Pristiq, so glad I did…I actually was planning to go to the doc tomorrow because I’ve had what I thought was the flu and nausea, headaches and bad dreams etc never even considered it was because I’ve just started to taper off 100mg Pristiq. Have done every 2nd day for one week, now doing every 3rd…I was actually concerned about feeling so sick guess I’ll hold off a bit longer and just keep an eye on things. Thanks everyone…I feel a lot less worried now.
Please everybody push through this I’m on my 8th week tapering off and onto prozac which I will eventually taper off of as well. For the first time I woke up feeling normal, it has been an incredible 10 years I have been on this drug and it has wrecked my life. All of the symptoms I thought I was treating I was actually causing with this drug. If you took more than 50mg, see an experienced prescription drug attorney who has experience with Pristiq.
After nearly 30 years as an experienced pharmaceutical rep I have never seen a drug which states in its own literature that a dose above 50mg will not help your symptoms, but will increase adverse events and dangerous side effects. Your own physician was only trying to help you, the fault lies with the company who makes this product. -Dave
I took Pristiq for over 7 years, along with Wellbutrin. I reduced to 50 mg. and then after a month I quit cold turkey. I have been totally off it for a couple months now and am still miserable. My most difficult symptom is nausea — it is constant. I also get a lot of headaches and am quite depressed without energy. I am just hoping that I can get through this soon.
Thought I’d leave a post to share my withdrawal from Pristiq. I am now day 7 cold turkey from 5 years of taking 50mg. Back story: For me the drug had stopped providing any sustained benefit and I felt like I was just treading water while on it. In the past year I have noticed a definite cycle starting to happen where I would feel okay for a couple of days and or weeks then bottom out, then come back up and everytime I would go down it was darker and was harder to shift. Other side effects started appearing, non diet related nausea, hot flushes, crying spells, intense fatigue.
I was starting to feel mentally and physically unwell. Symptoms didn’t align with ‘normal’ female cycle and I had full blood work done. I don’t have any major external stressors. I eat well and get adequate sleep. I don’t drink or take illicit substances… I’m doing all the ‘right’ things for someone with history of depression yeah?… I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. SO under the supervision of my GP I have stopped Pristiq with the view of starting Valdoxan after a flush out period of time. As mentioned today is Day 7… Woohoo.
First few days were as expected pretty sh*tty, felt like I was coming down with the flu, sweats, headaches, brain zaps, crying spells, dizzy periods, felt dissociated, weird food cravings, really hungry then full after one mouthful.. I was prescribed temazepan to get adequate sleep for the first few days. Had a couple of days off work. I went back to work on day 4 & 5. Was a little despondent and just felt really… out of it! Today I feel much better, still a few brain zaps and a bit dizzy now and then. Everything seems so much brighter and louder.
For me it hasn’t been that bad. Sure first few days were crappy, I just rested and listened to my body. If I was hungry I ate, tired; I slept, feverish I took showers. I took neurofen for headaches and flu like symptom’s and I used my support network of family and trusted friend (singular) to check in with. Knowing what to expect and remembering it is my body’s normal response has made it easier to deal with. Most importantly I visited my doctor day 1 and day 3 and will go back tomorrow.. I hope this helps someone else going through the same experience…
Everything they say about coming off is so real and so scary. I hate this! I just want my life back.
I started 50 mg of Pristiq about 2 years ago and about 9 months ago went up to 100 mg. My doctor recommended that I stay on it but because of sexual dysfunction I wanted to get off. The doctor suggested that I split the 100 mg in half- take that for two weeks then take a pill every other day for two weeks. I’ve been taking a pill every other day for a week now and have a week left to go.
I am very depressed at times, have mood swings, am tired but can’t sleep, have chills and sweats through out the day, and am having some very scary thoughts. All I want to do is sleep and isolate. The worst side effect has been the restless legs, and I just started to vomit this morning due to stress.
I’m scared that I’ll have to go back on the medicine and I don’t want to be dependent on it anymore but I’m starting to give in because I feel so hopeless.
As I’m writing this I realize that I have to just push through and have faith. I have a strong support system and know that as long as I take it easy I’ll be able to get through. This blog has really helped me. I hope I can help and to anyone who is reading know that this too shall pass. God Bless. -Alyssa
Have you tried counseling? I’m tapering off now and started going to weekly counseling sessions 4 months ago and developed coping skills with depression with paranoia and depression and untrue thoughts. Now as I’m tapering off, I know how not to let the mental part get the best of me.
Withdrawal cold turkey is terrible!! I’m talking severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, body aches, and feeling of impending doom. Taper over a number of weeks. << That's how I finally got off of it. Every other day for a week, then every 3 days for a week, and so on… Just fyi
I’ve been off them for three days, experiencing brain zaps, headaches and irritability. Not so much depersonalization as I already suffer from it permanently. I found pristiq put me in auto pilot, major mood swings and I could not think straight. I will continue this withdrawal off the drug as I am no better on it.
Eight days cold turkey off Pristiq now, and I hate to sound arrogant but it was a relatively easy. I’d been on 50mg of Pristiq for just over two years and after a bungling of my script at the chemist, I made a confident decision to come off. I expected brain zaps, hightened anxiety, chills and generally a gradual decline over a fortnight or so. But honestly it has been very, very mild. Dull headache for about three to four days, the occasional random hot sweat, and a little irritable, that’s it. I had a bigger come down off Panadeine Forte I took for a week after my wisdom teeth removal.
I had used Lexapro about a decade prior to my stint on Pristiq, and came off of it because of the sexual side-effects it had. Lexapro had all the withdrawl traits people have written about, and required a strong focus to push through it. Comparative to Lexapro, Pristiq is really quite tame. Everyone is different I know, but I firmly believe state of mind is everything. You CAN come off Pristiq easily, as long you are focused and have gotten through the problems that lead you there in the first place. Of the both times in the past fifteen years I experienced anxiety, it was because of the pressure I put upon myself. CBT, and talking through my issues were far more effective and lifelong tools then the medication I was prescribed.
Listen to your body, “Are you tired, stressed, tense, angry at something or someone, eating poorly, not exercising, not resting properly, not enjoying life?” Your body will tell you this. If you feel like coming off Pristiq, do it! You can! But if you’re still working through things, or just don’t feel right, stay on it, it will help. Sure modern medicine has it’s side effects, but so does everything else. Drink heaps of coffee, or consume large amounts of sugar, and tell me they won’t display side effects. Life is all about balance, and all Pristiq is, is something to help you achieve that. If your mind thinks you can, then you can.
P.S. A few tips I used to help me over the last week are: 1) Drink coffee, that way if you get anxious, convince yourself it’s just the caffeine. 2) Work hard, stay busy. Always be doing something, and throw yourself into it. Much like exercise, keeping your body and mind moving will give you confidence and energy. 3) Give yourself a time limit and rest. Don’t do anything, rest and relax. Have a drink if you have to, or two, or have a bath, a chamomile tea, smoke a cigarette, have a fire and stare at the flames, whatever.
If you feel funny, convince yourself you’re just tired. 4) Don’t go to bed until you know you’ll sleep, and don’t worry if you haven’t fallen asleep quickly. Tell yourself, ‘at least my eyes are shut and I’m resting.’ 5) Eat plenty, don’t worry about your weight. A full person is always happier then a hungry one, and a steady blood sugar level is the key to your mood. Good luck!
This post has helped me more than you’ll know, very helpful thank you.
My son was 15 when he was put on Pristiq for PTSD and depression. He started on 50mg for 3 months, then up to 100mg for 2 months then 150mg. He suffered severe night sweats and uncontrollable rage along with his depression whilst on this medication. His depression became so bad he tried committing suicide a couple of times. We decided to reduce Pristiq to see if this helped. He dropped to 100mg for a month then to 50mg and was going to stop after that.
As you all know, stopping is impossible. The side effects were dramatic and his emotional stability even worse, with yet another suicide attempt. We found a brother drug to Pristiq that comes in 37.5 mg and we switched him to this; (Venlafaxine). He took one per day for a week and then tried one every 2nd or 3rd day. If his symptoms were too unbearable he just took one. This has taken 4 weeks but he has now not had any medication for 5 days.
His emotional stability seems improved mostly, but he C/s of severe discomfort at times, like he just cant sit still and feels very anxious. No more night sweats and I’m feeling optimistic that no medication is better. It is so distressing to see your child suffering. As a mother I can only ever be as happy as my saddest child! I wish all of you the very best, and a life of health and happiness. I just want my son to be happy!
I have been off pristiq now for about 3 months and the zaps are gone except maybe on occasion. I have had weight gain since stopping the nauseous stage. I now have crying stages still for no reason and am on edge a lot. I really hate what this drug has done to me.
Wendy how did you wean yourself off of Pristiq? I’ll been on it about 3 years I need to get off not working! My Dr really isn’t familar in this field and told me the wrong way and went off into a very dark place had to get back on. Any suggestions? My Physiologist said you can’t do it the way she told me.
Started taking 50mg Pristiq about 2 years ago. At the end August I wanted off. Dr suggested skipping every second day. Tried that for 10 days and could not cope. After extensive research I decided to cut. Took a while for my system to adjust to reduced dose. I’m now down to 1/4. For the first time since cutting I’m struggling with all the side effects. I think it’s because I made too big a drop from previous dose, being 1/2. I phoned Pfizer who told me not to skip and not to cut but also not to stop abruptly. So when I asked how I am supposed to come off was told “oh you’re on the lowest dose so you can stop abruptly.” Need I say more??
How frustrating!
It’s been 4 weeks since my last take, I am feeling really crappy (as discussed in the thread), I need a to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Can anybody give me hope? Has anybody been able to function post-Pristiq? How much more do I have to wait? Thanks.
Luis, my doctor tapered me off of 50mg Pristiq to 40mg Prozac over 3 weeks he also gave me some valium to help with anxiety, the anxiety disappeared with the pristiq and I don’t take the valium now. I don’t plan to stay on the Prozac any longer than I have to. How much pristiq were you taking? Did you go cold turkey? please report all of your symptoms to the FDA at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
I consider this drug to be extremely addictive due to the fact that I had none of the adverse events but all of the withdrawal symptoms even though I never stopped taking the drug. This is exactly what you see with narcotics when you need to keep increasing the dose to keep withdrawal symptoms to a minimum. I listened to a presentation from a research and development vice president at Pfizer who insisted on using the terminology discontinuation symptoms instead of withdrawal symptoms which they clearly are. Consider talking to your doctor about a first generation drug like Prozac to help you taper down. -Dave
Hi Dave -I was on 200mg of pristiq for 4 years. During the past 6 months I had been having ALL the withdrawal symptoms especially severe panic attacks. My Dr and I decided to stop the pristiq 5 days ago and start taking 50mg of zoloft each day. No panic attacks since, but I am really suffering from other severe withdrawal symptoms (i.e. dizziness and a complete and utter sense of despair). It has greatly affected going back to work from recent holidays and have had to take more time off.
I just want the symptoms gone, I feel tremendous guilt that my wonderful husband and 23, 18 and 16 year old girls have to see me like this and put up with my utter despair and constant crying. This thread however has been wonderful in knowing I’m not alone although it feels like it at times. It would really good if anyone who lives on Gold Coast, Australia would like to get in contact with me on [email protected], perhaps we can start our own support group and meet up once a month (PA – Pristiq Anonymous) lol, at least my humor seems to be with me today.
I’ve been off pristiq for 6 weeks and there is light at the end of the tunnel. I only get brain zaps once or twice a week and that’s it.
So glad I found this information! Really thought I was losing my mind. Was really hoping to see a gradual taper off the meds including cutting the pills was the answer to a lower amount if withdrawal time. After reading everyone’s posts I’ve concluded on average it didn’t matter if you quit gradually or cold turkey, we are all screwed for about 6 months!!! So I’m in it for the long run. Never taking anti anxiety meds again!
I’m 46, had a total hysterectomy 2 years ago. Been trying to balance my hormones and menopause ever since. After experiencing a nervous breakdown a year ago my Dr prescribed Pristiq, starting out with 50mg, after a month no change so she upped it to 100mg. The first 6 months I felt a lot better even lost some weight. I started getting very foggy brained and couldn’t process things again so I thought maybe I was overmedicated and went down to 50 mg. The last 6 months I’ve had no drive, no sex drive, foggy headed, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, etc.!!!
I started tapering from 100 to 50 then cutting the 50 in half and the half in half then after a few weeks of the 1/4 decided I could finally quit. In the mean time I was and still am taking some natural herbal pills by Sunrider (Dr. Chen), recommended by a friend who is a rep for the company for the last 30 years and explained how bad these synthetic drugs are for us and how there are natural remedies out there. So I took her advice and ordered them with her guidance. I really believe they have helped me get through some of the withdrawals while tapering.
I’m on day three of no more pristiq. Day one was extreme dizziness, fatigue, cloudiness and headache, day two was the extremes brain zaps, fatigue, dizziness, restless night sleeping, day 3 has been headache, dizziness and irritability. During the holidays is probably not the best time to quit but so anxious to get this drug out of my system that I can’t imagine putting it back in if I’m still going to experience the same withdrawals the the same lenghth of time!
I’m willing to tough this out and will update my progress if it will help others. Thank you “Dave” for your Pharma Rep info, I will be reporting my experience in hopes that will help get this drug off the market!! My mother recommends the medical marijuana also helps with the withdrawals. Not a fan of any drug but might have to look into it if it might help me cope through the next 6 months. Then again, I will have to taper myself off that once the pristiq withdrawals are gone. Geez…
I want to post about tapering; taking pristiq ‘every other day’. Just for those who may be considering but are put off by it being ‘not recommended’. The reality is: this drug doesn’t come in quantities less than 50mg so if you are only taking 50 like I was you don’t want to break them in half since it makes them quick release (not how they are designed to work and therefore potentially dangerous) the only method left once you are down to 50mg is to start the ‘every other day’ approach.
Now, I have been on pristiq for a year or so, 50mg Max dose per day, I am a tall female of average build. I started out by missing a day once a week, to missing every second day, to missing every third day and I have now run out of my script and am considering not renewing it. I have probably been tapering for two/three packs and making a greater effort to eat well, stay active and keep a balance. I have had more anxiety but nothing major, I have had funny dreams and sweats and irritability at times and the brain zaps but these symptoms have by no means been all consuming I am still socializing and working. I believe this is because I tapered! Cold turkey seems to me to be counterproductive as does supplementing Pristiq for a new medication.
I do feel a little flat and don’t feel like having sex as much as usual but knowing that these things are normal for withdrawal takes the pressure off. Acceptance of withdrawal is key. I have personally found marijuana very helpful in providing relief and helping my appetite and insomnia: I am currently awake at 3.30am because of course, I don’t want to become dependent on weed for these things and so haven’t had any today but I can’t emphasize enough how much weed has helped. Using it in combination with a slow tapering and self awareness has meant that withdrawing from Pristiq hasn’t been “very” hard, merely uncomfortable and unpleasant at times.
MJ, a post above from Eve mentions that pristiq 25mg has been approved in the US. I found that this is true but it is not available yet and there is no schedule about when it will be available. This would help with the tapering however breaking extended release tablets and alternating days while ithey might be the only alternatives now are not very good alternatives. After being on this drug for 10 years I have tapered onto Prozac and have had minimal side effects. I do plan to taper off of the Prozac as well. A prescription for valium has helped immensely at the lowest possible dose and I plan to taper that off as well. Good luck to all and Martha please contact me. Dave
This is a long reply so sorry in advance. Have been on 100mg for 4 years. No adverse effects. Seems to have been a huge help in curbing my depression associated with my divorce. I am moving to Nicaragua in 2 weeks. Pristiq is difficult to get there and extremely expensive if you can find it. Tried to get my dr to prescribe an alternative 3 months ago, but they claimed I had to schedule a visit and the first available time was too close to departure for me to have started that process for any real length of time for them to monitor me so I am still taking pristiq 100mg every other day.
Next week I go to 50 mg every other day and then after 45 days I will be cold turkey. So far the symptoms I am experiencing are irritability and fatigue. I could sleep all day if I let myself. Moving to a new country and immersing myself in a new culture is going to be a crazy experience. I am looking forward to discovering a lot about myself and one of the specific things is how I will deal with this withdrawal and new life without it.
I am currently on celexa 40mg, ambien 10mg and have a prescription for clonazepam .5mg that I rarely take. If Buzzz would like me to provide daily updates on my withdrawal symptoms and other noticeable side effects I would be more than happy to oblige. I’m not sure how many folks find themselves in this situation, but it seems unique in my small world. Maybe it could help someone?
Ok guys, had my last 12.5mg cut Pristiq a week ago and I have a new withdrawal symptom that I haven’t experienced before. It’s like popping candy in the back of my lower head. It’s freaky lol. Other than that I’ve just got the brain zaps still and irritation at loud noises.
Day 67: Was on Pristiq for 5 years at 450mg. I still want to die. I cannot even face this another minute.
Martha, are you tapering? If you are feeling like that I strongly suggest you see your doctor. That’s an extremely high dose of PRISTIQ and if you’re still having those feelings of despair I would think it’s not working for you :-/.
Hang in there Martha! I want to cry for you!! You were on a VERY strong dose! Please give yourself some time. Did you go cold turkey or did you reduce your dose?
Martha, please hang on. I have been off Pristiq for 6 days. The regimen of taking prozac to wean off of Pristiq has worked very well. Other than a few mood swings I seem to have no problems. I also found that taking 5-DHT has improved my sleep 100%. I take 40mg Prozac daily. -Dave
Hang in there Martha! you can beat it!!!!!
Martha you were on what I would consider to be a toxic dose of Pristiq. Consider contacting a very experienced perscription drug attorney. I posted this before but let me remind you what Pfizer says about their own drug, “The recommended dose for PRISTIQ is 50 mg once daily, with or without food. In clinical studies, doses of 50 mg to 400 mg per day were shown to be effective, although no additional benefit was demonstrated at doses greater than 50 mg per day and adverse reactions and discontinuations were more frequent at higher doses”. I looked up all the data and there is truly no reason to give any patient more than 50 milligrams. As we can see from these posts there is a huge increase in side effects which even Pfizer admits. I am very concerned for you please email me at daveberry267[AT]outlook.com DON’T GIVE UP!
Hi all, I’m so pleased I found this site to learn that I’m not alone in my experience on this awful drug. I’ve been taking it for 4 years (50mg). At the time I was prescribed Pristiq, I was also seeing a counselor who advised me to stop taking it… I wish I’d listened to him. I’ve tried weaning a few ways, but it interrupts with work so much that I’ve ended up going back to a tablet a day.
I’m so determined to get off this drug. So I think I’ll plan some time off work to get through it. This site will also help my husband understand the withdrawal process – and hopefully help him deal with the moods etc. Dave – thanks for all your info. Whilst I’m in Australia, I took the time to check the FDA website and noticed they’ve just approved a 25mg tablet of Pristiq in the USA (hopefully Australia to follow soon after!).
The link to this info is http://www.fda.gov/downloads/drugs/informationondrugs/ucm423324.pdf. It’s listed under desvenaxaline, not Pristiq. Good luck everyone and please keep posting your progress – whether it be good, bad or indifferent. Thanks again for sharing your stories. -Eve
Today is day 8 for me completely free of pristiq!! I started weaning off it on Nov 7. I took a couple of 50 mg doses for one week and have not taken another one for 8 days! I am feeling great! I doubt the drug is out of my system completely, but I don’t feel like I need it anymore. I got my Rx report from this past year and I spent $630 on pristiq last year.
So looking forward to not having that expense next year. I am having joint pain in my knees and hips. Not sure if it is related to pristiq or not. But I am feeling much lighter at heart than I was. Things don’t feel like such a big deal right now. I like it. Also I might be sleeping a little better. Will have to see how this continues.
What country are you writing from, if you don’t mind me asking? I know in the US I couldn’t find Pristiq for less than $260 for 30pills at 50mg. I now order them from Canada, $60 for 100 of the same strength.
I’m IN Canada and I pay about $150 US for 60 50-mg tabs.
Well today is day 2 of my discontinuation of Pristiq. I have had horrible feelings of hopelessness. Day 1 was uneventful. How is everyone else? Megan? -Dave
Dave so you know how to get rid of the body sweats and fatigue ? I cannot sleep for the life of me and when I do manage to fall asleep I get up several times in the night.
Benzodiazepines like valium, lorazepam or xanax are the only thing that will help you sleep and WILL stop the hyperhydrosis. These anti-anxiety meds should be used at the lowest possible effective dose because they require higher doses to maintain their effectiveness. After you wean yourself off of the Pristiq you can lower the dose of benzodiazepines gradually to stop them as well. You can try a product called I-Cool which is for the relief of menopausal hot flashes, but it is unlikely to help with your sleep disruption.
Your brain is an amazing regulator of your health. Insomnia is frequently caused by your brain acting to protect you. Many things that occur during sleep which are disruptive to your health can cause your brain to trigger insomnia. For example; nightmares, physical maladies like restless leg syndrome, distress such as flu symptoms, headaches, anxiety and snoring all trigger your brain to repress the urge to sleep as a way to avoid these stresses on your body. As we all go through the rigorous discontinuation of Pristiq, it is probably inevitable that we will lose sleep. I am losing sleep as well. I wish there was an answer for this one. Keep in touch Megan and hang in there….Dave
Hi guys, it’s day 6 for me and I’m happy to say the nausea and dizziness have gone! Worst of all the fatigue is still there, very hard to get by when you just started a new job and the concentration and motivation is extremely hard. I have been getting regular acupuncture treatment I see a Chinese herbalist and naturopath I am taking a few herbal mixtures and Chinese herbal tablets which I believe help. I had relaxing hot stone massage and cupping done today. I hope sometime this week the fatigue goes away.
I am also seeing a psychologist who specializes in hypnotherapy which will be giving a go in a fortnight. I also have an appointment to see a psychiatrist my blood work will be given to him and hopefully by the time I see him the withdraws have fully gone! I try listen to mediation and mindful tunes before I go to bed to relax the head :) Guys you are not alone these horrible withdraws will be soon in the past.
P.S. I was advised by my doctor to taper off this horrible drug.
I started taking Pristiq 4 years ago. Never increased to more than 50m a day. So I’ve decided to try cold turkey. I have been taking L-tryptophan. I think it’s been helping with the withdrawal symptoms. Only day 4 of not taking pristiq so not sure if my symptoms will get worse as time goes on. Feeling light headed, minor headaches ( Tylenol helps a lot) , nausea at times. Major appetite loss and no more joint pain. Which is a plus. Didn’t get much sleep last night so the “zaps” have been bad. But I was getting those while taking the drug. Don’t know why.
Thanks for your share. I am 56 and have been taking Pristiq since it came out prior to that was taking Effexor. Tried to get off several times. Been on these for 30 years minus one year for pregnancy. Always stated on 50 mg and am 2 weeks cold turkey. The 1st week was horrible zaps and lightheaded and headache. Now the zaps are almost gone. I would love to find natural supplements or oils for this. Anyone know of any natural remedies to offset the withdrawals from Pristiq?
The sweating is hyperhydrosis and the fatigue is definitely from the Pristiq. I forgot to mention high blood pressure as one of my symptoms also (last post). When this drug was first promoted to the medical community one of key messages the reps delivered to the physicians was that there would never be a reason to adjust dose since no clinical evidence existed to justify any dose other than 50mg. This was a huge reason the drug had early success, since Dr’s spend a great deal of time titrating doses of medications to get patients on the optimal dose.
I have researched these and there is still no reason to take anything over 50mg a day. There is no benefit in any study that exists. The dose escalation does result in a significant increase in adverse events however. I have been shocked to read of the huge unnecessary doses in these posts. The promotion of the 100mg and higher doses is an old RX industry trick to increase revenues by introducing:
1. A higher dose
2. An extended release version
3. Multiple pills per patient
These marketing practices result in huge increases in revenues for Pfizer along with the introduction of the 100mg strength at a premium price. THERE IS STILL NO CLINICAL EVIDENCE THAT ANYTHING OVER 50MG PROVIDES ANY ADDITIONAL BENEFIT FOR THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION. Early in my pharmaceutical career, after a layoff I received a job offer from Pfizer and a different company. After taking the other job, I will never forget the regional business manager telling me that I was an “idiot” for not accepting Pfizer’s offer (which was 15K less than the other company).
Part of the candidate interview process was to work with an established representative for 2 days. I was floored by the deceptive techniques they used to sell products. Most insiders, sales representatives and managers commonly refer to the industry as “The Evil Empire”. I have an enormous amount of empathy for the people in these posts. I truthfully believe they are the victims of a greed driven industry and in particular victims of Pfizer. There is no reason other than profits to promote the prescribing of more than 50mg of Pristiq.
At this time, I am convinced that a class action lawsuit will be initiated within 1-2 years and I will be at the head of the line to sign up. I am endeavoring to determine if this is the case, and if not I plan to initiate it through legal channels myself. My Dr. added Prozac to my Pristiq on the following schedule:
Week 1 Pristiq 50mg plus Prozac 20mg.
Week 2 Pristiq 50mg plus Prozac 40mg
Week 3 Discontinue Pristiq and increase Prozac to 60mg
I will leave feedback on how this works out, my physician said at industry conventions this has been discussed as a good regimen to discontinue Pristiq. I can’t wait to get my life back. Bless all of you!
I’m not sure if I could join in any lawsuit, as I don’t live in America, but I am currently coming off Pristiq having been on 350 mg per day for over a year. It was prescribed for treatment of the mania I suffer from being bipolar. I have not realised that it was mainly prescribed for depression.
I am in the first week of being off the drug entirely, having ramped down from 350 mg over about 2 months. The side effects are awful, I am currently in 6 months of Long Service Leave as a teacher, but go back in less than two weeks. Having read what others are still going through weeks after going off Pristiq, I am scared about going back in front of a classroom full of kids if my side effects don’t ease off.
I am just starting my journey on getting off Pristiq and quite frankly am terrified of all the side effects. When I forget to take it for a day or two I get the electric shocks so I hate to think what coming off is going to be like. I have been on 100mg for at least 8 years. My biggest concern is the advise we all seem to be getting from GPs re-tapering off. I have been told to take 100mg one day then 50mg the following day and alternate for the next two weeks, then 50mg per day for 2 weeks then 50mg every other day, etc.
I don’t want to take that long to get off this poison so am taking 50mg per day for a week then 50mg every other day then 50mg every three days for a week then stop. I am so sick off not really feeling anything, I am prepared to go through the withdrawal and hopefully never have to take another anti depressant for the rest of my life. Thanks to all who are sharing on this forum, it really does help to know you are not alone in this.
Lynne, please do not alternate days taking Pristiq and taking nothing. You will be creating a rebound effect in the chemicals of your brain. This will have the net effect of creating huge imbalances of natural chemicals in your brain. Talk to your physician and try and find a different drug or natural remedy to taper off of pristiq. Every person is different and I know that there are some who have done this and some who have not but it is certainly a very poor choice to make considering the potency of this drug with even a single missed dose.
The truth is that if you miss a single dose, the discontinuation effects can be seen almost immediately. The half life of pristiq is 11 hours which means that the medication in your bloodstream has been reduced from its highest potency after administration to half of the highest potency after 11 hours. I have seen DHT mentioned as an over the counter way to taper off of pristiq and I would choose that before alternating doses with no doses. please let us know what you decide to do!
I’ve never replied on one of these sites but wish I would of found it about 2 years ago when I decided to come off. Postpartum wad the first time I was recommended an antidepressant, but did not find one that really worked. Then a divorce sent me over the edge and was prescribe Pristiq, did good, but had no idea and was completely surprised about the withdrawal so this support I see is amazing!!!
I was on 50mg for about 2-3 years and wanted to go med free. I went thru all the withdrawal and I promise you it does get better and MOVE for at least 20 min 2-3x a day, even when you don’t want to. I’m a single mom so no breaks and still worked but looked forward to my move therapy… Gardening was my mine. DO NOT blame your self… Write a note if you have to and hang it where you can see it to remind yourself, hang them everywhere if that’s what it takes.
I see everyone is in the beginning stages. I came off about 2 years ago. Kinda been “off” ever since. The first two weeks were awe full (after a taper of 2 months…which is why I wish I could if read this!) After about 6 months after my last dose I was feeling pretty good. Felt my anxiety was a lil more here and there but could pull it together ok…ish. Blamed it on life and stress and thought it was because I was use to being medicated.
But the brain fog never really went away. Better some days, but worse on others. Then in the past year or so I felt the fog spells getting worse. Has anyone been off for a long time. My doc keeps telling me I’m depressed, but it’s NOT it. (And not ashamed to admit it). I even get the ? From him and every other Doc… Lol.
I don’t feel right and haven’t since coming off. It’s off and on, being on more recently and one Doc thinks Fibromyalgia and started treating with Cymbalta, which has helped…some. I still don’t feel “right.” Slight muscle weakness started with Pristiq but just put that together reading this. I stand for a living and well was told that came with the job.
Even brain fog in the beginning of taking it and was told that was my brain adjusting… makes sense. Pretty much went away while as long as I was taking it. The occasional missed dose happened and I would know when cause it would set in. I have read the new warnings with Cymbalta but will talk to him when I go in on about 2 weeks.
The warnings on Pristiq’s and the withdrawal also mimic fibro. I guess my ? Is there anyone who stayed off for a long time still having any symptoms like this??? Can there be permanent nervous system damage?
This is so very scary to me! I have been on Pristiq for over 4 years now, and I want to get off of it. I have gained a lot of weight, I sweat profusely, and I am extremely fatigued. Doctors have not been able to tell me why I have these symptoms, other than my fatigue is from depression? Isn’t that why I am taking the medication, for depression?? Can I ask if any of you have experienced these symptoms/side effects? I have been at a loss as to why this is happening to me, so I am going over my medications to try and get some answers on my own.
Sharon you do not say how old you are, but I have experienced similar symptoms. I am 51 and have been taking Pristiq for 5 or 6 years now. All of my symptoms came on gradually and I just considered it part of life, getting older ect… I now realize the 40 lbs I gained was probably from the pristiq, and with the weight gain comes the fatigue. Your body tires more easily from carrying the extra weight. I also sweated alot!!! Again from the extra weight. I would have the a/c cranked up so high in my house you could hang meat in my kitchen! I also started snoring real bad from the weight gain. Husband started complaining about that.
So it was time to loose the weight. I asked the dr for an appetite suppressant, she gave me phentermine. That’s when my problems started with the burning sensation, dry mouth and metallic taste in my mouth. Quit the phentermine but the symptoms persist. After almost 2 years of misery from that I am finally realizing the whole problem is the pristiq. I have been weaning off the pristiq for a week now and I FINALLY have periods of feeling slightly normal with my tongue!! I am not fully there yet, but I have high hopes that this is it.
So yes, Sharon. I have experienced what you are going thru right now. You are not alone here. Every time you google pristiq and its side effects I can get different results and will find little snippets of new info here and there. I can not wait until I do not have to put another one of those pills in my mouth again!
Your adverse events or side effects are definitely from the pristiq. Here is the link to the prescribing information which is the FDA approved source for all documented literature for this drug: http://labeling.pfizer.com/showlabeling.aspx?id=497#section-14. Here is a quote from the prescribing information; In studies directly comparing 50 mg/day and 100 mg/day there was no suggestion of a greater effect with the higher dose and adverse reactions and discontinuations were more frequent at higher doses [see Dosage and Administration (2.1). Sales representatives convince the doctors to escalate the doses of Pristiq only to increase profits. according to their own approved labeling there is no need to use more than 50 milligrams. I don’t know what dose you are on but you are experiencing side effects which are common enough to be documented with this drug.
Dave I am not understanding this technical stuff you are giving us. It has something about taking Pristiq with Ablilify (arpiprazole). What does that mean? I was taking that also for many years until I started having muscle twitches and stopped taking that as well.
Hi Lisa, I am 52 years old as well. Just to clarify, you did take Abilify in addition to Pristiq? I want to make the point that all of your symptoms WERE caused by Pristiq. The weight gain and sweats (hyperhydrosis). Taking Abilify also carries a significant risk of weight gain and the potential to develop diabetes. All drugs should be used with a risk benefit strategy so that the benefit (reduced depression) does not come at the cost of developing a life changing disease like diabetes.
In my case, I have all the symptoms of discontinuation even though I NEVER stopped taking the drug. I have been amazed at the number of people who have had the same experiences. Since this is not described in any of the Pfizer FDA approved literature, it needs to be investigated by the FDA. My professional opinion is that this is a potentially very dangerous drug whose effects are being intentionally withheld or minimized. Please report your experiences with Pristiq directly to the FDA instead of to Pfizer.
If everyone with these symptoms would report them, there is a good chance the FDA will take action. Certainly they would issue warnings to physicians and they could go as far as rescinding approval for Pristiq. Report them at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/. The biggest takeaway here is that the FDA approved labeling describes these side effects as being in the 10-20% range, however it is apparent that they increase over time to levels that are potentially very dangerous. Scary stuff.
Yes I WAS taking both at the same time for a number of years. I quit the abilify about a year or so ago. I was edging toward diabetes, but I have been able to get that under control. I am in the middle of my second week of easing off of pristiq and I am feeling pretty good. I do have a voracious appetite though! I want food, and ALOT of it! I have never been like this before. I worked hard with the phentermine to lose 38 lbs and now I am afraid I will gain it all back.
Have you ever heard of my weird symptoms of the burning tongue, dry mouth and metallic taste being a effect of the pristiq? My new neurologist wants to test me again for Sjogren’s Syndrome. I was originally tested for that with a lip biopsy that came back “zero markers” for sjogrens but my blood test showed a possibility. So I go tomorrow to repeat that blood test. I will definitely visit the FDA site and report my symptoms. Thank you so much for your help.
Lisa, Burning Mouth Syndrome is not common but not unknown.
I had a terrible metallic taste from taking Lunesta for sleep, like sucking on a dirty penny. So yes, meds can definitely affect taste, you just may be more sensitive to them than most. I would suggest steering clear of anything that lists strange/bad taste as a side effect.
Sharon – you are correct in that this very scary. Never thought I would find myself in the position of trying to wean off a drug. Just wanted you to know that you are not alone and that for me, it was due to the profuse sweating and weight gain (although, not as much as the sweating) that I looked into the side effects of Pristiq. It was then, I found out that I was experiencing other affects (muscle weakness, nausea, full blown panic attacks, exhaustion, yet suffering from insomnia – how is that even possible?).
None of it was adding up, especially given my good eating habits and exercise routine. At first I attributed the excessive sweating to para-menopause, but these were not just the dreaded hot flashes. No, these are someone is poring water over your head sweats. Two weeks ago, I had my yearly exam and told my doctor what I had learned and that I wanted off of Pristiq. She told me to start taking the 50 mg vs. the 100 mg for two weeks before being replaced with something else.
I am not taking anything else and two days ago stopped taking the 50 mg dose. I am experiencing just about all of the withdrawal side effects that have been discussed on this site. A big thank you to everyone for sharing what you are going through. It has brought me piece of mind hearing that what I’m experiencing is normal for coming off of the drug and that it will eventually pass.
Hi everyone! I just found this site again. Thanks so much for all your replies! In answer to Lisa, I am 66 and have been on Pristiq 50mg for 6-7 years. I was diagnosed with Chronic Depressive Disorder when I was in my late 30’s, and have been on several different anti-depressants in my lifetime. I went for several years without anything, and I was fine! Then I made a major move in my life, and started over, which meant a new doctor.
I was having some sleep problems, and a few anxiety issues but felt it was nothing major. Other than that I felt fine! But the new doctor going through my medical history decided that I must be depressed. I have learned that when you have that diagnosis on your medical record, that no matter what you see a doctor for, it ends up that you are depressed! That’s how I ended up on Pristiq, and when my symptoms didn’t go away the doctor wanted to increase my dosage but I flatly refused.
And decided I wanted to get rid of these pills, especially when I read all the side effects people were having. I could now understand why I was gaining so much weight, and why I was sweating profusely, and why I was so fatigued all the time. Not to mention the daily headaches! I am terrified to try and go off these pills with everything I have read here! I assume it is even more difficult the longer a person has been on them? I will be seeing my doctor very soon and will ask her advice on getting through this.
I am so angry about this! We trust our doctors to do what’s best for us, and I can’t tell you how many times I have lost faith in doctors. Then you hear stories of doctor’s getting kick backs from pharmaceutical companies if they push their drugs. I often wondered why drug companies gave so many samples to doctor’s offices for free!
I have recently come to realize that doctors themselves are not as knowledgeable on the whole drug thing as we think they are! I trust my pharmacist more than my doctor, to have knowledge on any drug, and I go to them first if I have questions or concerns! I am hoping when I post here the next time that I will have or will be trying to kick this drug to the curb! In the meantime, thank you all for this information! Be well!
This is my first post on this site. First of all I encourage all of you to report all adverse events related to pristiq to the FDA med wash program. Here is the link: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/. I am a former pharmaceutical sales rep with a lot of knowledge about Pfizer I interviewed with them many years ago and decided not to work for them based on their business practices. Pfizer paid a record fine of 2.4 billion dollars for promoting drugs off label that means for uses they are not indicated for.
Any and every adverse event you had related to the use of Pristiq should be reported including lack of efficacy or if the drug did not work for you that is considered an adverse event. I was prescribed this drug after a life changing event. I had a battle with sleep apnea which nearly cost me my life. In the years since then I have been taking Pristiq 50mg. I am experiencing memory loss, lack of efficacy, dizziness, foggy brain activity, hyperhydrosis, muscle aches, insomnia, headaches, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. All of these adverse events occurred after a period of time not within a reasonable period of starting the drug.
My mistake has been to think that because they came on over a long period of time and independently of each other that they were related to my battle with sleep apnea and not the pristiq. This drug has ruined my life. My wife of 26 years divorced me recently due to my fatigue, constant headaches, and foggy thinking. She believed that I was not interested in her anymore. Today I am visiting my physician to determine a plan to get off of pristiq.
I have been on 50mg for about 10 years and my adverse events mirror exactly the discontinuation symptoms listed in the beginning of this thread. I could not convince my wife that my behavior was not related to her. Please, everyone on this thread needs to report these events to the FDA. remember even if the drugs simply did not work for you that is an adverse event and should be reported. Since I already have all the symptoms of discontinuation I am expecting the very worst in discontinuing this drug. If anyone is interested I would be happy to describe their business practices.
Hi everyone, I just wanted to update that I’ve been taking some 5-HTP, originally 100 mg on my off days from pristiq – I’m no longer taking Pristiq, but have uped my dose of 5-HTP to 100mg twice a day. Now I’ve been completely off the pristiq for about 6 days and my symptoms have minimized tremendously. I couldn’t believe how much of a difference it made. Accupuncture has been very helpful as well.
Hi guys reading all these posts make me feel so motivated knowing there’s people out there like me! I have been on pristiq 50mg for about 1 year and 4-5 months. I have been seeing a naturopath and as a personal choice I have been wanting to come off this drug. I was also told by my doctor that I should tamper with this tablet. I was to take 25mg for two weeks and then half off the 25mg for another week and then for another week every second day half of the 25mg. I have decided to do cold turkey. I have tried the above and know I can push through hoping the side effects don’t last long.
I have had the side effects which have been very bad dreams, tiredness, dizziness, Not able to sleep well and worst off all crying to the point of suicidal thoughts. My partner is very supportive. I am 26 years old and knowing that I am in a better place now I don’t need to be on this drug any more… The worst thing off all is I have just started a new job and hoping these side effects go away quickly, so I can get back on with my life!! I use to be very active and due to these side effects and coming off this drug it has taken over my life. I agree with deb keeping your mind occupied is the best medicine! :) and reading all these posts are very supportive :) everyone you are not alone!!
Thanks for everyone for writing down your experiences. It has been a wealth of information and very interesting to read. I have been on Pristiq for about 15 months, for about twelve of those months I have been on 150g. I have been pretty stable for the last six months, so thought it time I try and wean off them. Also, I have put on weight and am desperate to lose it. I have been down to 100mg for about two weeks now.
The side effects have been quite minimal, however today I have been despairing and been quite moody and, I fear, irrational (had a fight with hubby on weekend which I’m now thinking was me being a goose because of withdrawals!). One argument with my husband and today I’ve been thinking all day about divorce – extreme much? I now recognize this as withdrawal and am determined to keep going. I intend to stabilize a bit more on 100g and then go down to 50g, and then taper.
I am taking it really slow and steady, and other than a few headaches and that already mentioned, my side effects haven’t been too bad so far. For me there was a big benefit on being on Pristiq. I had tried Lexapro before and it had limited effect, the Pristiq once I hit the 150g mark has been so effective for me and I lost the 24/7 negativity and the desire to stay in bed all day and that life was pointless. Finding this thread is amazing, good luck to you all.